Collection bins prohibited in Jacksonville, backyard hens approved

In a long debate, Ordinance 2015-327, prohibiting collection bins for thrift stores and the like, passed 17-1 at Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. The sole abstaining vote was Councilman Reggie Brown, who essentially argued that banning such bins was a value judgement. Reggie Gaffney made a similar contention; however, he ultimately voted for the bill.

Speaking in favor of the bill, Bill Bishop described the collection bins as examples of blight. Others obviously agreed.

After a short intermission, public comment went forth on Ordinance 2015-337, to establish a permanent process for permitting backyard hens. Many of the comments were the same as they had been in previous committee and council meetings, reiterating claims that the pilot program was an unconditional success. Other comments, including those on neighborhoods that had been opted out of the program, suggested that such a process contravened democracy.

Chickens are quiet, they help with pest removal, and they even eat grass, said the speakers. Chickens, as well, could help with neighborhoods that are food deserts, providing sustainable food sources for families that are disproportionately prone to dietary illnesses, such as diabetes.

The best part of the public comment on this issue though? The kids. Clearly making their first foray into public comment at this level, they presented polite and reasoned arguments; certainly, more polite and reasoned than many of the other public commenters on other topics. They also understood time management, not even coming close to their three minute allotment.

“I don’t just like chickens, but I love chickens,” said Steven, one of the myriad members of the DiPietro family, who loves the brown and white eggs, and the fact that the “chickens eat out of his hand.”

A floor amendment was introduced by Doyle Carter, to make opting out contingent on 50% + 1 of property owners voting against chickens. That passed 16-2.

The bill passed 18-0.